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Leaked recording of Iran's foreign minister stirs debate

The recording of Iran’s foreign minister has led to speculation as to motivations and meanings. 
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif gestures during a meeting with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza (out of frame), at the Casa Amarilla palace in Caracas, on Nov. 5, 2020.

Ever since a recording of Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was leaked yesterday, Iranians have been discussing not only the contents but also the possible motivations behind releasing the audio.

The audio itself does not reveal anything scandalous or unknown. Zarif, however, does offer his own interpretation of specific events. Zarif accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of running their own regional foreign policy and ignoring the advice of the Foreign Ministry. In the recording, Zarif also said that former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani had traveled to Moscow in 2015 to undermine the nuclear negotiations. Zarif also expressed frustration with certain IRGC decisions, such as sending ground forces to Syria and using Iranian airlines without the knowledge or consent of the Foreign Ministry.

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